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Quigley Statement in Support of COP21 Agreement

December 12, 2015

CHICAGO – Today, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05), a member of the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition, released the following statement in response to the Paris Conference of Parties (COP21) Agreement:

"Today marks a historic step in the global fight against climate change. For the first time, we have an ambitious, durable climate regime that applies to all countries, focuses both on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and building resilience, includes strong accountability measures, and ensures ongoing financial and technical assistance to those countries in need. I applaud all of those involved in the negotiation process, especially President Obama, Secretary of State John Kerry, and Todd Stern, lead negotiator for the U.S., for their courage and vision.

"Under this agreement, all countries will communicate their climate and targets every five years, ensuring progress and accountability. Each target will be expected to go further than the last, reflecting the highest possible goals for each country. It also sets a goal of keeping warming well below two degrees Celsius and sets an ambitious vision to go even further than that in the future. All 196 parties from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) worked together to make an agreement that is fit for 2020 and beyond, serving not just this generation but also countless generations to come. We recognize that this deal is not a silver-bullet solution to what is a massive global challenge, but we have put ourselves on the right path with an agreement that is forward-looking, dynamic, and durable."

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